With the NHL holiday freeze approaching on December 20-27, we could see teams getting active on the trade market.
One team whose name often comes up in trade rumors is the Predators..
The club is going through a second difficult season in a row and could soon go into sales mode. Nashville has some good veterans who could be of interest to a team looking for reinforcements or depth to finish out the season.
Even though he has a no-movement clause, Steven Stamkos is a player who could change address between now and the trade deadline.
According to Pierre LeBrun, the Devils would be interested in acquiring a forward who has deep postseason playoff experience, even if his momentum has slowed over the past two years.
New Jersey was among the teams that tried to sign Stamkos as a free agent in 2024.
Artemi Panarin could finish the season elsewhere
The Rangers are another team facing a second straight rough season and could very well make a move before the trade deadline if the club fails to make the playoffs.
According to Frank Seravalli, The Blueshirts have a good chance of trading Artemi Panarin this season if they go on the selling side..
Frank Seravalli: About Rangers: If they are in a position where they are not making progress, or are well outside [playoff] the picture will most likely be moved by Artemy Panarin – Insider Notebook (12/2)
– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) December 5, 2025
The striker is currently entering the final year of a seven-year contract worth an average of $11.64 million per year, and all indications are that he will offer his services to the highest bidder.
So we can expect the Rangers to try to monetize his value if they don't think of him as a spring starter. Moreover, Panarin, having scored 30 points, including 9 goals, in 29 games this season, could provide a good return on the trade.
Wild is ready to buy
Also according to Frank Seravalli, The Wild, with twelve wins in their last sixteen games, could very well be aggressive at the trade deadline and even this summer..
Frank Seravalli: Re Wild: I think they will be an aggressive team when it comes to this deadline to try to improve and also in the summer – Kevin Karius Show (12/2)
– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) December 5, 2025
Even if Seravalli doesn't name names, Minnesota's team could very well expect to see a little more offensive punch, especially on the third and fourth lines, as it ranks 23rd in the NHL in goals scored with 79 in 28 games.
The Wild also need reinforcements and depth to have any hope of making a deep playoff run, although they haven't made it past the first round of the playoffs since 2015.
This team will definitely be fun to watch in the coming weeks and months.
After a while
– Assist by Michael Hage.
Michigan is first on the board! Spence from Hage and Horoff! pic.twitter.com/iZzL1OxG9W
Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) December 6, 2025
– A wonderful play.
OH DAMN THIS IS BEAUTIFUL pic.twitter.com/boUpV9ZHCh
– Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 6, 2025
– On the rebound.
We
Robo goals
pic.twitter.com/pgfkjyL8C0
– Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 6, 2025
– No changes for kings.
General manager Ken Holland denied the rumors https://t.co/v3fP5ydtHO
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 6, 2025
– Hockey, just like the good old days.
Friday Night Fights: Looks like it's time to get back to this…
May 21, 1978.. pic.twitter.com/LdXhgHCtdh– Old hockey cards (@oldhockeycards) December 6, 2025
